Learning to listen
Students with autism often need structured lessons on how to listen.
Reinforcing listening efforts rather than assuming that listening is an
expected and automatic behaviour may be necessary. Breaking listening
down into components for the student and reinforcing each component
may be helpful—for example, teaching the student to face the speaker,
look at one spot (which does not mean they must make eye contact),
and place hands in a planned position, and praising or otherwise
rewarding each step.
Developing oral language comprehension
Use visual input to aid comprehension of oral speech. Visual aids may
help obtain and maintain the student’s attention. Accompanying spoken
language with relevant objects, pictures, and other visual supports can
help with comprehension. Experienced teachers of students with autism
suggest the use of photographs to support understanding of the content
of oral language communication. Interestingly, many students with
autism use reading to support oral comprehension rather than the
expected reverse of using oral language to support reading. This makes
reading instruction even more significant for these students.